On Carnival Magic March 3-9, looking for cruise friendly dive operators in Cozumel (3/5), Belize City (3/6) and Costa Maya (3/7)

[JZiemerJr]

Hey friendly and helpful folks,

The wife and I (AOW, 150+ dives each) have booked a last-minute cruise on Carnival Magic March 3-9. We're looking for any advice or information on cruise friendly dive operators in Cozumel (3/5), Belize City (3/6) and Costa Maya (3/7). I did dig up some recommendations for Dive Paradise in Cozumel and have reached out to them but interested in what anyone know about any of the ports. Haven't cruised in over 10 years so this is a relearning experience, the operators we've used at these ports back in the day, of course, seemingly no longer exist...

 

[Wants2divemore]

I'm going to be stopping in those ports on a different cruise in April. Here's what I found doing internet and SB research. Note - I haven't dove with any of these operators. Remember that you make sure your cruise ship arrives at least 1 hour before you're supposed to be at the dive op, as it can take a while to get off the ship in port.

COZUMEL

This is not a complete list of Cozumel dive operators, but ones that seemed the best from various reviews.


Salty Endeavors
cozumelscuba.com
8 min from International Pier
Recommended as good dive op per SB Coz thread, good SB & Trip Advisor reviews
6-8 person boats, fast, full shade
$80 2-tank dive; 8a-12.30p; 1.30p-6p, 1h surface interval at private beach, yacht club, or restaurant
If solo diver, website says you get buddied with DM.
No minimum number of divers
Full refund minus $20 fee for >14d cancellation. No refund for <14d


Tres Pelicanos
trespelicanos.com
dive@trespelicanos.com
10 min from International Pier

2-tank boat dive, 8a & 1.30p, $99.76 (be there at 1p). 70 min or 700psi, trip lasts 4-5h
Morning boats always go out, requires 3 person pre-book minimum for afternoon boat.

Great reviews on SB - good job at grouping people with similar abilities on boat


Dive Paradise
diveparadise.com
10 min from International Pier
(855) 798-5300 (toll-free US)
954.743.5310 (Mexico)

8a-1.30p & 10a - 3p express morning trip, afternoon express 2-tank dive $103
Mentions special 10a departure for cruise passengers & 4 person minimum

Usually only have 4-6 divers + 1 DM per boat
Full refund if >48h notice for cancellation, 50% refund for 12-48h;

Bottom Time Divers

bottomtimedivers.net
15 min from International Pier
Small, fast boats, 6-person, shaded
Good SB reviews
$90, 2-tank dive, 1.30p, SI at beach or restaurant, should be back about 5-5.30p
50% deposit before trip, >24h cancellation full refund
2 diver minimum

7.30.2023 submitted questions through website form. 7.31, answered with above

8.15.2023: Said I want to book with him, asked what are next steps
8.16.2023: Raul said I get in too late for morning dive, doesn’t have anything in afternoon.


Ambient Diver Cozumel
Run by ChuckP (SB) - called Carlos in Cozumel. Sounds like a great person and dive op.
Marina Fontanur
Cozumel, Q Roo
Mexico CP 77600
www.ambientdiver.com
info@ambientdiver.com
+52 987 876 6845 (WhatsApp)
Has small boats, groups people by ability so you don’t have to surface early with a bunch of new divers

4 min from International Pier

2-tank dives, leaving at 8a & 1p $100, each trip lasts 4.5-5h
No deposit, pay cash or credit card (5% surcharge)

Unfortunately, the times really limit you there. We normally depart at 8am and then if we had a second trip, we depart at 1:30 – 2. Trips last about 4 ½ to 5 hours.


Jungle Divers
www.jungle-divers.com
2 min from International Pier
Keep groups small (2-4), group by ability
2-tank dives, $99, private guide $50
Includes snack, drinks and lunch for SI
Leave marina at 9.30a & 3p - dives usually last 6 hours
Large (probably slower) shaded boats
Good SB review

Bookings require nonrefundable deposit (credit card or Paypal), balance due in cash USD okay (extra fee for PP or credit cards)


ScubaLuis
Scubaluis.com
7.30a & 1.30p 2-tank dives, typically last 5 hours
4 min from International Pier
Good recommendation from Dive Talk FB group


Dive with Martin
Divewithmartin.com

4 min from International Pier
Recommended by Carlos (owner of Ambient Diver Cozumel)

7.30a (no minimum), 10a (6 person minimum), 1p (4 person minimum)


Scuba with Alison
scubawithalison.com
5 min from International Pier
Small, fast boats (8 divers max on boat)
Good Trip Advisor reviews & SB review
They leave at 8a


Scuba Life
scubalifecozumel.com
4 min from International Pier
Recommended as good dive op per SB Coz thread
2-tank 9a & 2p
Small, fast boats, 8 person max, 1 DM : 4 divers
70 min max or 700 PSI
SI on beach


Blue Project
www.blueprojectcozumel.com

5 min from International Pier
Good SB review

2-tank (9a-1p) or (2p-6p) $95 reef dive11
Groups of 6 divers/DM
Deposit via Paypal, balance in cash (USD or Pesos) - no credit cards


Aldora
www.aldora.com
10 min from International Pier
2-tank dive $95 +$10/tank nitrox (most use Nitrox)
7.30a & 2.30p depart (minimum for afternoon dive)
Uses steel HP100 & HP120 for longer dives
6 divers/boat. Group similar diver abilities and air consumption
Will dive on east side of island if needed due to weather (they say they’re the only shop that does this)
Have to check in at dive shop
7.30am start
Small covered boats. Will pick up at some resorts


ScubaTony
www.scubatony.com
4 min from International Pier

Recommended as good dive op per SB Coz thread and by Carlos (owner of Ambient Diver Cozumel)
Small, fast boats (6 passenger max), have shade but no head. Group

2-tank dive $95 (7.30a & 1p - lasts 4-5h), 1h surface interval at a pier or beach, includes water, fresh fruit, snacks
Cash (USD or Pesos) or Paypal (5% surcharge), no credit cards. $75 deposit per diver required. Cancellations >24h fully refundable


The following never answered my email / text / WhatsApp message asking questions about dive times and other things.

Caribbean Divers
www.cozumel-diving.net
11 min from International Pier
Recommended as good dive op per SB Coz thread
3 large boats


Papa Hogs
www.papahogs.com
scubadiving@papahogs.com

3 min from International Pier
Good recommendation from Dive Talk FB group

Fleet of 8 boats (6,8,10,16 passengers), small fast boat operation, most boats have shade
Say they group in small groups of similar levels
2-tank $89 8.30a-12.30p; 1.30p-5p

 

[Wants2divemore]

BELIZE CITY

For most cruise ships, the ship is too large to dock in port directly, so you have to take a tender off the ship into port. This can add about 30 minutes, so keep that in mind when looking at departure/arrival times.

Jaguar Adventure Tours and Dive Shop - I've booked with them, I'll submit a trip report once I get back
Barrier Reef Snorkeling & Diving — Jaguar Ventures of Belize Ltd.
Tel: +501 670-6028 (WhatsApp)
Might also be +501 610-5235 (number on Facebook page)

Great Trip Advisor tours, one said they waited for them when they were late off of ship
Says they offer a 2-tank barrier reef dive which is good for cruise ships.

2-tank dive $199; start at 8a or 8.30a (depending on ship arrival time). SI includes fruit, sandwiches, fruit punch, bottled water

25% deposit required at time of booking, 100% refund if canceled 15+ days in advance, 50% if 7-14d in advance, 0% if <7d in advance. Minimum of 2 divers but will let you pay for 2 divers and dive by yourself

Meet at Belize City Tender Terminal #1
5 minute walk to dock.


Sea Sports Belize
10 min walk, 3 min taxi

Sea Sports Belize

sea sports belize

www.seasportsbelize.com

Good Trip Advisor reviews. 1 good Docs Who Dive FB review, good SB review.
28’ boat with canopy for shade, no bathroom, 8 divers max, 1 DM, 1 captain maximum

8.30a-2.30p 2-tank barrier reef dive $157.50. Says they make sure you make cruise ship
Will drop off at cruise pier at end of dive
Serve lunch (sandwich) during surface interval

50% payment at booking, balance 30d before trip. Will refund payment if ship doesn’t come into port. 4 divers minimum needed for the 2-tank barrier reef dive.
Private guide $157.50

They will only confirm a trip if they have enough bookings.


Belize Dive Haven Resort & Marina - They only allow diving with them if you're staying at the resort.
reservations@belizedivehaven.com
833.428.7200
501.280.0042 (Belize)


COSTA MAYA

Costa Maya is a marketing term for the cruise dock just North of Mahahual

Gypsea Divers - I've booked with them. I'll submit a trip report once I get back

Gypsea Divers, Calle Huauchinango Detras del National Beach Club ; 18.715313, -87.708182, 77976 Mahahual, Q.R., Mexico
Gypseadivers.com
If you want more information or make a reservation to dive with us, please write an email to
coralnegro8@hotmail.com with copy to info@gypseadivers.com

Take 10-15 minute taxi to Nacional Beach Club

Many good SB reviews
10 min drive from pier

• normally 9am or 1pm afternoon dives
• 95$ is the cost for two tank dive; private divemaster for 30$ usd more…
• We ask for a deposit that you send us via PayPal and it’s fully refundable in case of bad weather. If you cancel more then 48h in advance we will also refund your deposit
• Our groups have a maximum of 6 divers
• Minimum to go out is 2 divers
• If we don’t find another diver though- we will take you anyways!
• There is shade on the boat but we come back in between dives to shore… no bathroom- it’s a small boat!

Amigos del Mar Mahahaul
amigosdelmar.net
Avenida Malecon corner Coronado Street
77976 Mahahaul, Q.R. Mexico
+52 984 151 6758
info@amigosdelmar.net

11 min from pier

Good SB recommendations
2-tank $90, 3-tank $120

Boat: La Chula
Max 14 divers + crew
Canopy covering all seating areas


Doctor Dive
5 min from pier, $8 taxi ride
+52 998 343 7681 What’s App
Dive center is in the “Yaya Beach Club”
Good Trip Advisor reviews
Good SB reviews. They do good job of separating into smaller groups of similar ability

2-tank dives start at 9a or 11.30a, typically last 4 hours. $95. Dive site 15 min boat ride from shop. Surface interval is back at dive shop, includes fruit, snacks, and water.

Require $50 deposit through Zelle info@doctordive.com Manuel Alberto Armas Duarte

Have 3 boats (one 16 diver, two 6 diver), boats appear to have shade. no minimum group size
Max 6 divers/DM
Private DM available for $50


Tequila Beach Tours
10 minutes from pier
Whatsapp: +52 9831173519
tequilabeachtours.com
2-tank dive; $89
Check in at main beach office of Tequila Beach Club

 

[JZiemerJr]

@Wants2divemore Thanks for sharing your legwork. Currently in conversation with a few of the shops both you and my wife found, I'll let you know what comes of it.

 

[BigDaddyGlad]

Great research done by @Wants2divemore!

I've taken that cruise itinerary several times, so I can share some personal observations/recommendations.

Cozumel
I always go with Dive Paradise when diving off a cruise ship. I've found them to be very accommodating with the ship arrival times. They are the only operator I've found who offers a 10:00 a.m. Express Boat; all the others depart at 8:30 or 9:00, which cuts too close. The shop is located directly across from the Wyndham, so it's only an $8 cab ride each way. They won't hit the furthest south sites, but you'll still get two great dives, and be back on board by 2:00.

Belize City
Options are limited in Belize City (most ops are located in San Pedro). I've used Sea Sports here. It's a short walk from the pier, and the diving was great. Small group, good service. Next time I stop in Belize City, I'd use them for sure.

Costa Maya
Gypsea Divers is an excellent choice. Last time I went with them, I was the only diver on the boat, so I had a personal guide for 2 dives! SI is back on the shore. This was the most friendly dive op I've ever used; it felt like I was a friend rather than a customer. Costa Maya is, IMO, an underrated diving location. It shares the same reef structure as Cozumel, but sees a fraction of the dive traffic, so the reef is very healthy (or was, when I was there last in 2022 anyways).

 

[Rob9876]

As mentioned above, the issue in Cozumel is that most regular dive op morning boats will leave before you can get there, including most of the ones listed above. However, in addition to Dive Paradise and Jungle Divers mentioned above, there are a few more mentioned in this discussion thread:

Question - Diving in Cozumel NOT through the cruise line.

Hey guys, wife and I are doing a cruise in Febuary and the first stop is Cozumel. We are looking to do a dive there that fits the time the ship is there. Nothing is available through the cruise line for this location(there is a dive in Roatan that we’re doing). Any suggestions who could...

scubaboard.com

 

[JZiemerJr]

Hey all,

We're going with DiveParadise in Cozumel, SeaSports in Belize and Gypsea Divers in Costa Maya.

Need 2 more divers for the DiveParadise boat in Cozumel. If you're interested please contact them at diveparadise.com. Lisa has been outstanding to work with.

 

[BigDaddyGlad]

Hey all,

We're going with DiveParadise in Cozumel, SeaSports in Belize and Gypsea Divers in Costa Maya.

Need 2 more divers for the DiveParadise boat in Cozumel. If you're interested please contact them at diveparadise.com. Lisa has been outstanding to work with.

Indeed, Dive Paradise US shoreside reps are incredibly helpful in filling boats.

I would recommend you make a post looking for additional divers on your sailing's roll calls on Cruise Critic and Facebook. I have actually met a great dive buddy that way, who I've since cruised and dived with twice since initially contacting him on Cruise Critic.

 

[JZiemerJr]

Indeed, Dive Paradise US shoreside reps are incredibly helpful in filling boats.

I would recommend you make a post looking for additional divers on your sailing's roll calls on Cruise Critic and Facebook. I have actually met a great dive buddy that way, who I've since cruised and dived with twice since initially contacting him on Cruise Critic.

We have done both those things. It's weird, my posts are the ONLY ones on Cruise Critic (I started the topic for our cruise but there's been no activity and I keep looking for other threads but there aren't any) but there is activity on Facebook however no divers yet. I'm not too worried, there's multiple ships in port that day...

 

[BigDaddyGlad]

We have done both those things. It's weird, my posts are the ONLY ones on Cruise Critic (I started the topic for our cruise but there's been no activity and I keep looking for other threads but there aren't any) but there is activity on Facebook however no divers yet. I'm not too worried, there's multiple ships in port that day...

Yeah, don't sweat it too much. On my last cruise which included a Cozumel stop, there were two divers from a Carnival ship in port and two divers who were staying at the Wyndham and wanted to take the later boat.

They'll get you out that day. Enjoy your cruise!